By DayakDaily Team
MIRI, Nov 28: Two Penan men from Long Tepen have pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here to trespass and obstruction charges brought by the Forest Department of Sarawak (FDS), insisting that the allegations against them are baseless.
In a press release co-issued by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) Keruan and Bruno Manser-Fonds, the accused aged 52 and 57, were charged under Section 26 of the Forest Ordinance 2015 for alleged trespass within the Telang Usan Protected Forest (TUPF).
The 52-year-old also faces a second charge under Section 103(1) of the Ordinance for allegedly obstructing public officers.
Both charges were read before Sessions Court Judge Afidah Abdul Rahman on Wednesday Nov 26, with the duo represented by lawyer Roland Engan.
In court, the two men denied committing any offence and maintained that they had merely been standing by the roadside seeking internet coverage when approached by enforcement officers.
“We were just talking and resting by the roadside when the officers approached us. I did not engage in any of the actions alleged,” the 52-year-old reportedly said, rejecting claims that he obstructed any officer.
The Penan duo were first detained by Miri forest officers on June 28 at the same location where the alleged offences were said to have taken place.
The case has attracted significant community attention, with more than 30 Penan representatives travelling to Miri to show support for the pair during the hearing.
The court has fixed March 4, 2026, for pre-trial case management, while trial dates have been set for Dec 14 to 16, 2026. – DayakDaily
